Why did Vancouver riot after its team lost the Cup? The mayor, police chief and premier have coordinated a concocted tale without supporting evidence: less than 50 criminals and anarchists planned the whole thing using social media.
Plausible, historically-informed ideas:
1. A number of rioters were “opportunity rebels.” They pretend to political activism, they live alternate lifestyles, work irregular jobs, hate modern life and how it’s destroying Earth. At home you’d find they read Adbusters mag, No Logo by N. Klein, some Bakunin or Kropotkin. Pseudo-intellectual, and pseudo-political, they turn up at G8 and G20 summits, know the right style and tactics, and think they’re advancing a global anti-capitalist revolution. A huge crowd is their element.
Vancouver has more than usual of these types; the Drive is their village. The U.S. has the same tribes in its cities; they have nothing in common with the underclasses of Brazil, India or Africa. But they’d say they do, so — burn, smash, loot. I cannot think how rebels in dictatorships like Syria would understand Canadian rioting. Is it for liberty? No. Then what?
2. Some testosterone-fueled, boozed-up rioters are not social assets even on good days. They join group number one with no thought of why.
Readers who uncritically accept that alcohol in our culture should be legal, and cannabis not, might want to give their minds a shake. A t-shirt slogan says it: “Instant goon — just add alcohol!”
3. Mob psychology turns otherwise average people into thrill seekers; inside a huge crowd, morality deserts them and fear of consequences is much reduced. (Watch and see how light court sentences of the few convicted will be.)
Under the surface of frenetic urban life lurks irrational, mad joy, of destruction, looting “free stuff,” and taunting The Man. Scream defiance, for all the times authority hems you in: boss, principal, cops, parents — but alone, you aren’t brave/belligerent.
Young males are most usual for this, but female and middle-aged are not immune. The morning after, such people may suffer disbelief at their own riotous actions; some will make restitution. I think intelligent policing strategy and tactics make the difference whether a mob turns riotous. Crowd control is a science; people aren’t mad, bad or criminal.
Let me confess, I’m not in harmony with my times. I abhor sport mania; I cannot get it. Why are so many deliriously “happy” because their team won in Olympics or NHL or whatever?
I want back for social spending many billions spent on sport; I hate fake patriotism sport generates, and distraction from serious issues, that tool of the ruling class, keeps us quiet.Ah spectacle! Circus, gladiator, chariot race, small fast hi-tech war, cults etc. (“The human race kept rolling on, through the fighting and the religious wars, rolling through the temple walls and the churches’ exposed sores.” Neil Young). If you don’t get “ruling class,” never mind.
I relax my prejudices and admit people get simple pleasure from sport, in lives otherwise dim. I sympathize with fans shamed by rioters. I admire the spirit of people who stood up to rioters, particularly women I’ve seen on TV news. All praise to those who came to help clean up, and encouragement to all who can send a rioter to jail.
This riot was no sign of political rebelliousness in Canada, more’s the pity. I’ve watched for signs of it since 2008, patiently.
Charles Jeanes, Nelson